Infos & Curiosities

• 1873: paddle steamer "Lombardia" is launched along with twin p/s "Elvezia" by "Società Italiana", to compete with "Società Lariana".

• The building of these two big steamers, sided in 1874 by p/s "Como" and "Lecco", is to be found in the concurracy between the two companies, more than in realistic service exigences. "Lombardia" and "Elvezia" are rarely employed on timetabled sailings, for their big expenses. But they are two of the more representative units of the fleet.

• 1874: the two companies mix to "Società riunite", which since 1884 will gets back under the ancient name of "Lariana". P/s "Lombardia" is part of the new company's fleet.

• The Belle Epoque period, with Lario pacifically invaded by tourists, gives a reason to be to these steamers. "Elvezia", and frequently also "Lombardia", are employed on timetabled peak sailings.

• 1912: a project states to convert p/s "Milano", from paddle wheels to screw; the engine of "Milano" should be transferred onto "Lombardia", whom engine would be moved to a new big steamer.

• War stops this project; "Lombardia" is used as a hospital-steamer, reaching to host 1000 soldiers.

• "Lombardia", after the war is moored at Como's breakwater, layed up.

• 1925: "Lombardia" is taken to Campo Garibaldi dock in Como, and new boilers for her are ordered.

• 22 Jun 1926: "Lombardia" is taken out of water, for her complete renewal.

• 17 Sep 1926: after a deep check to the hull, and modifies to bow and stern, she's re-launched, and moored at dock for the complete renewal of structures.

• 25 Jun 1927: after fine works, "Lombardia" re-enters service. Bow and stern are modified following the most modern lines of the time. Structures are new. Capacity is increased to 1000 passengers; "Lombardia" is the new admiral of "Lariana", and the biggest steamer ever seen on italian lakes.

• Furnishing are of a never-seen before elegance, and the new engine gives the steamer a notable speed; this when on other italian lakes small and ugly motor vessels are launched.

• But in the '30s the service sees a great reduction, due to the growing of street transportation. P/s"Elvezia" is demolished at Tavernola dock in 1937, p/s "Lombardia" is most of the time out of service, employed only for special sailings and private services.

• During the second worl war "Lombardia" too is no-mercy attacked by anglo americans flights. She's hit a first time on 31 january 1945, while she's moored at Blevio pier.

• Feb 1945: unexplicabily "Lariana" states to put aground "Lariano" along with "Lombardia" and "Volta" at the estuary of river Mera; Colonel Pieramedeo Baldrati writes: "although camouflaged, the ships stand out because of their big size and their being moored side-by-side. They stand up clearly on the plan-green by bow and on the blue waters, precisely delimited by the pale yellow line of coasts, by stern. Was it a bait? Was it deplorable superficiality? It is true that the two bigger units (Volta and Lombardia) were damaged ( although still able to move with their own engines), and so the bait hypothesis found consistence, but the massacre-sending of "Lariano", intact, doesn't find any logical explanation"

• 14 Mar 1945: an anglo-american squadron, keeping far enough from the machine-guns of Colico fortress, attack the three steamers; the target is inviting and most of all defenceless, and the passages follow by, until the three steamers are completely involved by flames. The brave voluntary Firemen from Menaggio and Gravedona and all of the soldiers from the nearby run there, but there's nothing to do for the steamers, whom huge stake lasts all the night long

• May 1947: ruins of "Lariano", "Volta" and "Lombardia" are pulled to Tavernola. What's left of the majestic "Lombardia" is sadly demolished.